Los Angeles Galaxy’s Bruce Arena was named the 2008 Major League Soccer coach of the year Wednesday, after guiding the club to its first playoff berth since 2005.
That line does not do justice to the job that Arena did for the Galaxy this year. Last season the Galaxy finished bottom of the Western Conference after conceding a league-high 62 goals. Everyone knows that defense will Championship and Arena was able to slash the goals against from 68 to 31 goals this season. That was the difference between playing in the Conference Finals and watching the games at home.
In addition to working magic with the Galaxy’s defense, Arena had to also play Oprah to stars Landon Donovan and David Beckham. Arena managed to handle the late arrival of Beckham from AC Milan and still keep the team focused on its goal of winning the MLS Cup.
Congratulations Bruce Arena. You are still the best American born soccer coach in the game today.
